Crock Pot Meal Perfect for Planting Season

You might say that farming is in Ben Rein’s (pronounced Ryan) blood. His great, great grandfather homesteaded
around Highland, Minnesota, in 1884.
Farming is a tradition that has continued throughout the generations.

“I’ve been farming for as long as I can remember,” says
Rein, who grew up on a family farm and started farming full time in 1997 by
custom baling hay and renting 160 acres.
He shared equipment with his dad and uncle, who were farming together at
that time. They ran a 100-sow, farrow-to-finish operation. They also raised 200 registered Angus cows,
selling bulls and heifers. In 2005, Ben’s dad went to work for him. Today they grow corn and alfalfa. They also milk 65 cows and finish fat cattle.

Ben said he wanted to try Latham® products because the
company is independent and family owned.
He’s stayed with the company because the corn really yields. “I’ve been planting Latham for two years and
have had a great experience,” he says.
“The people I work with are very knowledgeable and
accessible. The seed corn I used last year yielded 200 to 230 bushels,
and it was the only corn that stood against the wind and rootworm issues we
dealt with.”

While Ben tends to the crops and livestock, his wife
Amber stays busy on the home front. The
couple lives on the farm Ben’s grandfather bought in 1952, and it’s where
they’re raising their five children ages 4 to 14.

"Living on a family farm allows us to spend time together
working and playing,” says Rein. “It’s
the perfect place for kids to develop a good work ethic and to discover their
interests.” Some of their kids enjoy working with horses, while others prefer calves.

Like most farmers, Ben enjoys promoting the products he
raises. Today, in honor of May Beef
Month, the Reins are sharing one of their family’s favorite recipes for Sweet
and Sour Meatballs. Crock pot recipes
like this are perfect for the spring planting season. Click here to give this one a try.